Patents by Inventor Thomas Leppien

Thomas Leppien has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8426992
    Abstract: A liquid treatment system that may be self-powered includes a hydro-generator. A flow of liquid may be used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The hydro-generator may include an outer housing and an inner housing. The inner housing may include a first hub removeably engaged with a second hub. A plurality of paddles may be replaceably engaged between the first hub and the second hub. An electrical generator may be disposed in the inner housing. A flow of liquid may strike the paddles causing the inner housing to rotate. During rotation of the housing, the electrical generator may produce electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Publication number: 20120235408
    Abstract: A liquid treatment system that may be self-powered includes a hydro-generator. A flow of liquid may be used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The hydro-generator may include an outer housing and an inner housing. The inner housing may include a first hub removeably engaged with a second hub. A plurality of paddles may be replaceably engaged between the first hub and the second hub. An electrical generator may be disposed in the inner housing. A flow of liquid may strike the paddles causing the inner housing to rotate. During rotation of the housing, the electrical generator may produce electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Access Business Group International, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Patent number: 8188609
    Abstract: A miniature hydro-power generation system includes a hydro-power generator, a processor and an energy storage device. A flow of liquid may be used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The processor is configured to monitor a level of the electric power generated by the hydro-power generator and a level of charge stored in the energy storage device. The processor is further configured to selectively charge and discharge the energy storage device based on the level of charge of the energy storage device, and the level of electric power generated by the hydro-power generator. The electric power generated by the hydro-power generator is selectively used to charge the energy storage device, and the energy storage device is selectively discharged to supply a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Publication number: 20110175351
    Abstract: A miniature hydro-power generation system includes a hydro-power generator, a processor and an energy storage device. A flow of liquid may be used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The processor is configured to monitor a level of the electric power generated by the hydro-power generator and a level of charge stored in the energy storage device. The processor is further configured to selectively charge and discharge the energy storage device based on the level of charge of the energy storage device, and the level of electric power generated by the hydro-power generator. The electric power generated by the hydro-power generator is selectively used to charge the energy storage device, and the energy storage device is selectively discharged to supply a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Patent number: 7932618
    Abstract: A miniature hydro-power generation system may include a hydro-power generator and energy storage devices. A flow of liquid may be used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power at a generator output. The generator output may be electrically coupled to each of the energy storage devices so that the energy storage devices can be independently charged with the electric power produced by the hydro-power generator. The hydro-power generator and/or the energy storage devices can also supply electric power to a load. The energy storage devices may also be electrically coupled via a series/parallel switch so that at least two of the energy storage device may be switched between a series configuration and a parallel configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Publication number: 20100327581
    Abstract: A miniature hydro-power generation system may include a hydro-power generator and energy storage devices. A flow of liquid may be used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power at a generator output. The generator output may be electrically coupled to each of the energy storage devices so that the energy storage devices can be independently charged with the electric power produced by the hydro-power generator. The hydro-power generator and/or the energy storage devices can also supply electric power to a load. The energy storage devices may also be electrically coupled via a series/parallel switch so that at least two of the energy storage device may be switched between a series configuration and a parallel configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Patent number: 7812470
    Abstract: A liquid treatment system that may be self-powered includes a hydro-generator. A flow of liquid may be used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The hydro-generator may include an outer housing and an inner housing. The inner housing may include a first hub removeably engaged with a second hub. During manufacture, a plurality of paddles may be replaceably engaged between the first hub and the second hub. Also during manufacture, an electrical generator may be disposed in the inner housing. In operation, a flow of liquid may strike the paddles causing the inner housing to rotate. During rotation of the housing, the electrical generator may produce electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Patent number: 7701076
    Abstract: A hydro-generation system includes housing having a passageway, a turbine nozzle, a rotor and a stator. The rotor includes a plurality of turbine blades and a permanent magnet. A flow of liquid may enter the passageway and be directed by the turbine nozzle to the turbine blades to induce rotation. The stator is position within the permanent magnet such that rotation of the permanent magnet induces the production of the electrical energy in the stator. The flow of liquid may flow through the housing and out of the hydro-generation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Access Business Group International, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Patent number: 7663257
    Abstract: A liquid treatment system that may be self-powered includes a hydro-generator. A flow of liquid may be used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The hydro-generator may include an outer housing and an inner housing. The inner housing may include a first hub removably engaged with a second hub. A plurality of paddles may be replaceably engaged between the first hub and the second hub. An electrical generator may be disposed in the inner housing. A flow of liquid may strike the paddles causing the inner housing to rotate. During rotation of the housing, the electrical generator may produce electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Access Business Group International, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Patent number: 7663258
    Abstract: A miniature hydro-power generation system may include a hydro-generator, a control circuit and an energy storage device. A flow of liquid may be used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The control circuit may switch the electric power to charge the energy storage device and/or to supply the electric power to an electrical load. The control circuit may also selectively switch the energy storage device to supply electric power to the electrical load. Further, the control circuit may disable both the hydro-generator and the energy storage device from supplying electric power to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Access Business Group International, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Patent number: 7663259
    Abstract: A liquid treatment system that may be self-powered includes a filter, an ultraviolet light source and a hydro-generator. A flow of liquid may be filtered with the filter and used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The ultraviolet light source may be energized by the electric power generated by the hydro-generator when the magnitude of electric power of the hydro-generator enters a determined range. The flow of liquid may be subject to ultraviolet energy generated by the ultraviolet light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Access Business Group International, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Patent number: 7462945
    Abstract: A liquid treatment system that may be self-powered includes a filter and a hydro-generator. A flow of liquid may be filtered with the filter and used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The liquid treatment system may include a first liquid flow path that provides treated liquid, and a second liquid flow path that provides untreated liquid. The filter and the hydro-power generator are included in the first liquid flow path so that electric power is generated by the hydro-power generator when liquid flows through the first liquid flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Access Business Group International, LLC.
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Publication number: 20080061557
    Abstract: A flow of liquid may be used to rotate a hydro-generator to generate electric power. The hydro-generator may include an outer housing and an inner housing. The inner housing may include a first hub removeably engaged with a second hub. A plurality of paddles may be replaceably engaged between the first hub and the second hub. An electrical generator may be disposed in the inner housing. A flow of liquid may strike the paddles causing the inner housing to rotate. During rotation of the housing, the electrical generator may produce electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: David Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lautzenheiser, Christopher Houghton, Stephen McPhilliamy
  • Publication number: 20080061558
    Abstract: A hydro-generation system includes housing having a passageway, a turbine nozzle, a rotor and a stator. The rotor includes a plurality of turbine blades and a permanent magnet. A flow of liquid may enter the passageway and be directed by the turbine nozzle to the turbine blades to induce rotation. The stator is position within the permanent magnet such that rotation of the permanent magnet induces the production of the electrical energy in the stator. The flow of liquid may flow through the housing and out of the hydro-generation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: David Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lautzenheiser, Christopher Houghton, Stephen McPhilliamy
  • Publication number: 20080060184
    Abstract: A flow of liquid may be used to rotate a miniature hydro-generator to generate electric power. The hydro-generator may include an outer housing and an inner housing. The inner housing may include a first hub removeably engaged with a second hub. A plurality of paddles may be replaceably engaged between the first hub and the second hub. An electrical generator may be disposed in the inner housing. A flow of liquid may strike the paddles causing the inner housing to rotate. During rotation of the housing, the electrical generator may produce electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: David Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lautzenheiser, Christopher Houghton, Stephen McPhilliamy
  • Publication number: 20080001572
    Abstract: A vehicle power interface includes an adaptive inductive power supply. The adaptive inductive power supply has a primary within a remote device holder. The adaptive inductive power supply is capable of providing power to remote devices placed within the remote device holder. A communication interface may be provided which can enable communication between the remote device and any data bus within the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: David Baarman, Terry Lautzenheiser, Thomas Leppien
  • Publication number: 20070120368
    Abstract: A liquid treatment system that may be self-powered includes a hydro-generator. A flow of liquid may be used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The hydro-generator may include an outer housing and an inner housing. The inner housing may include a first hub removably engaged with a second hub. A plurality of paddles may be replaceably engaged between the first hub and the second hub. An electrical generator may be disposed in the inner housing. A flow of liquid may strike the paddles causing the inner housing to rotate. During rotation of the housing, the electrical generator may produce electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventors: David Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lautzenheiser, Christopher Houghton, Stephen McPhilliamy
  • Publication number: 20070012181
    Abstract: A control system and associated methods for an air treatment system. In one aspect, the present invention provides a control system and method for controlling blower speed as a function of separately determined smoke and dust concentrations. In one embodiment, the control system and method provides a variable delayed between changes in motor speed to address undesirable rapid changes between speeds. In another aspect, the present invention provides a system and method for calibrating a sensor to provide more uniform operation over time. In yet another aspect, the present invention provide a system and method for calibrating motor speed to provide more consistent and uniform motor speed over time. The present invention also provides a system and method for tracking filter life by as a function of time, motor speed and/or a sensed variable, such as particulate concentration in the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Applicant: ACCESS BUSINESS GROUP INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Niezgoda, Thomas Leppien, Gregory Evans
  • Patent number: 7119451
    Abstract: A liquid treatment system that may be self-powered includes a filter, an ultraviolet light source and a hydro-generator. A flow of liquid may be filtered with the filter and used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The ultraviolet light source may be energized by the electric power generated by the hydro-generator when the revolutions-per-minute or the magnitude of electric power of the hydro-generator enters a determined range. The flow of liquid may be subject to ultraviolet energy generated by the ultraviolet light source. It may be indicated when the ultraviolet light source reaches dose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Access Business GroupInternational, LLC.
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Publication number: 20060190728
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a three-phase encryption method and a three-phase decryption method, and an apparatus implementing the three-phase encryption method and/or the three-phase decryption method. To encrypt a message according to the three-phase encryption method, a content of a message is converted from a first form M to a second form M?; the content of the message is separated according to a spacing pattern; and the content of the message is scrambled according to a scrambling pattern. To decrypt the message encrypted using the three-phase encryption method, the scrambling and spacing patterns are reversed, and the content of the message is converted from the second form M? to the first form M.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: Nima Veiseh, David Baarman, Thomas Leppien